Farm Camps are Great for Kids!

In Connecticut, interest in farm camps is growing.  With camps all over the state offering a wide variety of educational programs for children and youth of all ages, it's no wonder that people are starting to notice this great opportunity that's available to both parents and children.  Farm camps are a wonderful way to give youth the kind of exposure to sustainable methods of growing food that can't frequently be found in the standard school curriculum.  Kids truly learn where their food comes from, while getting outside, learning practical skills, and having a lot of fun.  A recent article by the New York Times describes how Connecticut's farm camps are reconnecting kids with the food they eat, and encouraging kids to make better food choices at home as a result,

“I learned that pizza is one of everything,” said Andersen Steele, 8, during her second week of camp last year. “It has dairy, it has grain, it has vegetables and it has a little bit of oil on it and it has meat if it’s pepperoni.”

Her mother, Beth Steele, recalled her daughter’s pizza fascination and her overall increased interest in what her family eats since she attended farm camp. “She has a better appreciation when we go to the grocery store of what it takes to get that food from the farm to the store to your table,” she said.

Below is a list of Connecticut farms and organizations that offer on-farm educational programs ranging from seminars and day camps to week-long or multi-week opportunities.

• Community Farm of Simsbury
• Massaro Community Farm - Woodbridge
• Urban Oaks Organic Farm - New Britain
• Education Center at Auer Farm - Bloomfield
• Terra Firma Farm - Stonington
• Common Ground - New Haven
• The Unquowa School Farm Camp Program - Fairfield
• FRESH New London
• New Pond Farm - Redding
• Fiddlehead Farm - North Granby
• Flamig Farm - West Simsbury

Many of these programs still have openings for the 2012 season, but they are filling up fast.  Check out their websites and give them a call to find out more about the programs they offer.  Let's help our kids learn valuable, relevant, hands-on skills that are enjoyable while also helping to make a better future for us all.

Have an educational and fun week!
-Melissa